Azerbaijan, Lankaran, 17 November / corr Trend P.Aliyeva / "Kiwi harvesting has been launched in Astara, a southern region of Azerbaijan. Its production is expected to double in 2008," Allahverdi Mahmudov, head of the agrarian department of the regional executive power, said on November 17.
"Five sorts of kiwi are grown in the southern region at the moment. Merely 30 hectare (7,000 trees) of kiwi plantation is located in Shamagaji village," Mahmudov said.
In 2008 the kiwi production in Astara is expected to reach 70 tons, whereas in 2007 it was 35 tons. Rains that are important for the production of citrus fruits displayed key role in increase of production.
The crop is harvested from more than 15 hectares of kiwi orchards planted in 2004.
In Astara, almost 90% of 16,700 farmers deal with the production of citrus fruits.
In 2007 kiwi suppliers from the region sold their products to Russia at the price of ranging from AZN 1.20 to AZN 1.40, whereas in 2008 this number did not exceed AZN 1 due to economic situation in Russia.
On 17 November official currency rate is AZN 0.8098 per USD.
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